| Public Land Name: | Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument | | Position Title: | Paleontologist | | Position ID Number: | 180 | | Location: | Florissant, CO | | Position Description: | The GeoCorps participant will assist with ongoing projects relating to the geologic and paleontologic resources of the monument. Primary areas of emphasis will be on a new excavation project to collect fossil leaves and insects from delicate shale deposits, and on the monument's ongoing project to inventory and monitor fossil sites. Other duties may include some of the following: preparation and curation of fossil specimens, inventory of collections, database development and data entries, compilation of a manual to document fossil sites, and assisting visiting researchers. The participant may have an option to use a portion of their time for research if they have a research plan defined and approved beforehand. Prior to starting this position a government security background clearance will be required. This position is offered through the Geological Society of America's GeoCorps America Program in partnership with the National Park Service’s Geoscientists-in-the-Parks Program. | | Qualifications: | Applicants should be advanced undergraduate or graduate students whose educational background and career objectives are in paleontology. Applicants must have completed basic undergraduate course work toward a degree in geology or biology, with an emphasis in paleontology. Students who plan to pursue paleontology as a career, or those who are beginning graduate or undergraduate thesis projects, are especially encouraged to apply. Professional level applicants are also welcome to apply. Experience with Access database is preferred. The applicant should be able to work well independently. Applicant must have a valid driver’s license. | | Position Dates: | May 26 - August 14; 12 weeks | | Payment: | $2750; housing provided | | Housing Available: | Housing will be provided at no cost to the participant in a shared house or apartment and may require sharing a room. Housing will include basic amenities such as cooking utensils, bed, and furnishings, but bedding is not provided. Personal vehicle required; housing may involve a commute of 20-30 minutes to the monument. | Physical/Natural
Environment: | The monument is located 35 miles west of Colorado Springs in a forested mountain valley at 8,000-9,000 feet elevation, near Pikes Peak. The Florissant Formation preserves an abundant flora and fauna of fossil plants and insects that were deposited in late Eocene (34 million-year-old) lake shales. | | Work Environment: | Work time will be split between office, lab, and field, according to project needs. The small town of Florissant is two miles from the monument and has basic services such as fuel, a convenience store, and small restaurants. Divide is eight miles from the monument and has a small supermarket. Woodland Park is 16 miles away and has large supermarkets, mechanical services, a variety of restaurants, and a new hospital. Colorado Springs is a large city 35 miles away. Colorado Springs airport is 47 miles from the monument and provides regular service by all major airlines. Summer weather is cool to warm with sunny mornings and often rainy afternoons. | | # of current Applicants: | 10 |
If you have questions about the application and selection process, please contact Anny Jones. If you have questions about any aspect of the position — description, qualifications, housing, dates — please contact the primary or secondary contact below:
| | PRIMARY CONTACT INFORMATION | | Contact Name: | Herb Meyer | | Title: | Paleontologist | | Street Address: | P.O. Box 185
15807 Teller Co. Rd. 1 | | City/State/Zip: | Florissant, CO 80816 | | Phone: | 719-748-3253 | | Email: | Herb_Meyer@nps.gov | | Website: | http://www.nps.gov/flfo/ |
| | SECONDARY CONTACT INFORMATION | | Contact Name: | Jeff Wolin | | Title: | Park Ranger | | Street Address: | P.O. Box 185
15807 Teller Co. Rd. 1 | | City/State/Zip: | Florissant, CO 80816 | | Phone: | 719-748-3253 | | Email: | Jeff_Wolin@nps.gov | | Website: | http://www.nps.gov/flfo |
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